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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Cooper: Chart city’s path forward by electing Kim White mayor of Chattanooga

Staff File Photo By C.B. Schmelter / Mayoral candidate Kim White speaks to supporters following the March 2 primary election at The Westin hotel.
Staff File Photo By C.B. Schmelter / Mayoral candidate Kim White speaks to supporters following the March 2 primary election at The Westin hotel. Staff File Photo By C.B. Schmelter / Mayoral candidate Kim White speaks to supporters following the March 2 primary election at The Westin hotel.

Chattanoogans can help determine their future for the next four or eight years Tuesday when they elect a new mayor. He or she will do more to affect your daily life in the city than President Joe Biden or Gov. Bill Lee will ever do.

For that reason, we again endorse Kim White in the mayoral runoff with Tim Kelly.

Since the March 2 primary, we have found her even more enthusiastic about shaping a city for all residents, even more open about collaborative government and even more sure about the city’s boundless opportunities.

For those still determining their vote, we suggest they consider the following:

> White is the closest of the two candidates to being a nonpartisan Chattanooga mayoral pick in a generation. While Federal Election Commission financial disclosure reports show she has supported moderate Republicans, she has made a point during the race of reaching out to all residents and clearly staying out of comments involving national politics.